THE Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, on Thursday issued a statement in response to the meeting between U.S. congressional members including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen in the United States.

The statement said that in disregard of China’s strong opposition and solemn representation, U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional members insisted on meeting with Tsai Ing-wen, who is on a “transit” trip through the United States. According to the statement, the move has gravely violated the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques, seriously breached international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and severely undermined China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The National People’s Congress firmly opposes and strongly condemns the move,” the statement said

Also on Thursday, a spokesperson of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered remarks regarding Tsai’s “transit” trip through the United States.

“Over recent days, in disrespect of the stern representations and repeated warnings lodged by China, the United States has obstinately allowed Tsai Ing-wen’s ‘transit’ trip through the United States and the high-profile meeting between Tsai and Kevin McCarthy, the third highest-ranking official of the U.S. Government,” said the spokesperson.

It also allowed U.S. officials and congressional members’ contact with Tsai, and provided a platform for Tsai to make separatist remarks seeking “Taiwan independence,” according to the spokesperson.

A spokesperson of China’s Ministry of National Defense also delivered remarks Thursday concerning the “transit” trip of Tsai.

“We firmly oppose all forms of official interaction between the United States and Taiwan and any visit by leader of the Taiwan authorities to the U.S. in any name or under whatever pretext. We firmly oppose the U.S. side’s contact with the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in any form, which violates the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiques,” said the spokesperson.

“The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China will stand by its responsibility and mission and always keep on high alert. The PLA will resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

A statement was also issued by the spokesperson of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China CPC Central Committee on Thursday, saying that Tsai’s meeting with McCarthy is another provocative move from Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities to further collude with the U.S. and “cling to U.S. support to seek independence.”

“We express our strong condemnation, will take resolute measures to punish separatist forces seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and will resolutely safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the spokesperson said. (Xinhua)